Blume High School

The former Blume High School is a historic building in downtown Wapakoneta, Ohio. It was the first special home for Wapakoneta High School. Before this building, students in Wapakoneta learned in a school with younger children.

The original part of the high school was built for $41,315. A local architect named William M. Runkle designed it. In the mid-1920s, the school grew. New parts were added, like a gymnasium, a library, and the "Red Brick Section." An architect from Columbus named Frank Packard designed these new parts. Money for the library and gym came from a gift by someone named L.N. Blume.

As more students joined the Wapakoneta City School District, the old building became too small by the mid-1950s. In 1956, people voted to build a new school, which opened in 1959. Blume High School was then used as a junior high school for some years. Later, in 1988, voters decided to close the school, and it stopped being used by 1990. In 1996, the old Blume High School was added to the National Register of Historic Places because of its special design. Today, the building is used as apartments.

Notable alumni

Blume High School has produced some famous graduates. One of its notable alumni is Neil Armstrong, who graduated in 1947 and became a NASA astronaut. He was the first person to walk on the Moon. Another well-known graduate is Dudley Nichols, who graduated in 1913. He won an Oscar for his work as a screenwriter and director.